The Governor's Daughter (Winds of Change Book 1) Read Free

face, his lips so near.
    His thoughts, though, seemed far away from hers. His chest heaved as if trying to restrain his annoyance with the situation.
    “Your plan, I am afraid, Miss Blankenship, has been foiled. Can you not behave for one moment? Your father only asked if I could watch over your safety on your voyage, since I was returning to England upon the Victoria . Nothing more.
    “Tonight was requested because he feared you would try something reckless which it seems was warranted. In truth, Miss Blankenship, I have found your maneuvers rival some battle-worn generals I have served under.”
    “Then I would have to assume you have served under some extremely deficient generals, Lieutenant, for I haven’t been very successful. Pray, let me go!”
    “Only when I have delivered you back to your father.”
    “Sir, I can assure you I’m perfectly capable of finding my way around my home, from which I am being so unmercifully dragged.”
    “I would be negligent in my duties if I didn’t.”
    “I will happily relinquish you of such.” She swung her head back in an attempt to regain any dignity in her circumstance.
    “Miss Blankenship,” he replied coolly, “I have commit ted to the governor I will take care of you during your journey to England. This I will do whether you want my assistance or not. I will see you safely to your grandparents and after that you can do as your heart desires. Believe me w hen I say I have no desire to watch over a spoilt little debutante.”
    Without warning her hand swung back. The aggravation from the day welled in her action. She slapped him, hard.
    He caught her arm, pulling her to him. She met his stare with the same intensity, refusing to be intimidated. His free hand went to her face, touching it in a manner which greatly disturbed her.
    The moment passed.
    He laughed. “I quite deserved that, my lady.”
    Her eyes locked upon his, challenging him. He had laid clear his intention. He grabbed her hand and almost dragged her up the path.
    She said nothing more to him, but raced by him as they came upon the back entrance. She ran up the steps and into the house. She didn’t stop until she reached her room.
    * * * *
    Cathryn sat dutifully in her father’s study. He had sent for her before sunrise and ranted at her for over an hour. She had never seen him so upset. She doubted he had even slept.
    “To think a daughter of mine was throwing herself at a gentleman!” he roared. He ran his hand through his silver-white hair. He hadn’t donned his wig this morning. That in itself worried Cathryn to no end. Her father never presented himself without proper attire, especially with guests in the house and there were several of them left from the previous night’s activities.
    At fifty-seven, her father had married late in life. He had doted on her without question and she idolized him. But at the moment she found herself under the scrutiny of his shrewd, piercing blue eyes.
    Cathryn had the look of her father, she had been told, except for the color of her eyes. Her eyes were a hazel, giving way to green depending upon the color she wore or her temperament.
    She turned her head slightly and caught her reflection in the window glaze. She frowned. Her thick unruly hair had fallen out of the bun that she had quickly pulled back when she rose. Dark brown waves framed her oval face calling attention to her large expressive eyes, while her long eye lashes flickered back her frustration.
    Her father told her when she smiled, the whole of her face illuminated. She wasn’t smiling at the moment.
    But it was Cathryn’s temper that worried her father. He had cautioned her more than once about it. Sumner called her Jalyn at those times. Sumner said she reminded him of the jays when they bickered with the other birds, strident, acrimonious, not relenting until they had their way.
    In all, she was much like her father, having inherited his stubbornness, which was evident in her determination not